Microsoft has just begun pushing out its February update for the Xbox platform today, and among everything included is the ability to send invites to friends via a link so they can join your cloud gaming session. This much simpler process is likely going to save gamers time and there’s no doubt that many will find it easier to deal with. Mostly because there are going to be fewer steps to the same process prior to today’s update.
Microsoft explains in an official blog post that you can now share links with friends while gaming with the Xbox cloud gaming beta, and they can join through that shareable link. There are some caveats to this. You will obviously need to be on the Game Pass Ultimate plan. The friends who want to join your session will also probably need to be on the Game Pass Ultimate plan. Ultimate is required for access to cloud gaming, so this shouldn’t be a surprise to most users.
The Xbox Cloud Gaming link invites are intended for browsers and smart TV users
As noted by Microsoft, these links are intended for users accessing the cloud gaming beta on a smart TV or through a web browser. Microsoft also says that these links can be created by users on the same platforms. The company mentions nothing of Xbox consoles, but there’s probably a good reason for that.
If you’re playing a cloud game on your console, you can simply invite friends from your list. If you’re joining or creating a link through a browser, compatibility is limited to Chrome, Edge, or Safari. This does work for PC and mobile browsers as well. So users will need to keep that in mind. It’s also worth noting that Microsoft says this feature will allow Ultimate members to invite other Ultimate members to their sessions.
Later in its post, however, it says that “some games will require Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.” Implying that some games can be joined via the link without being subscribed to the Ultimate plan. With that being said, you will likely need to be subscribed to Ultimate if you want cloud gaming access. This is how it’s always been.
Link owners can revoke the link at any time
While this new feature will certainly simplify gaming with friends, it could also complicate things. Since you can generate a shareable link and share it on social media, say to your thousands of followers on X, you could end up with way too many people joining your game. The link supports as many players as the game supports for multiplayer. However, you might decide that you only want a certain number of people joining.
Microsoft has added the capability for users to revoke the link at any time. So if you share the link online, and five people join but the game supports eight, you can then revoke the link. Stopping anyone else from joining your session. That should give players some peace of mind. Microsoft says this update is rolling out today. So you should be able to see the option for creating links already.